Pipe line depositing machine



Sept. 20, 1932. RQBB 1,877,974

PIPE LINE DEPOSITING MACHINE I Filed June 16. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 20, 1932.

J. F.- osa PIPE LINE DEPOSITING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gMtw dam/FEW Sept. 20, 1932. RQBB 1,877,974

PIPE LINE DEPOSITING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 20, 1932 JOHN 1. R033, oro EvELAND HEIGHTS, oHIo PIPE tinnmirosrrmomaonmn Application mam 1a, 1931. serial no. 544,871. v 1 v This invention relates tofpi pe handling equipment and more particularly-to handling and placing pipe in position in oil and gas pipe line construction work." I r v H An ob ec t of my invention is to provide a pipe handling apparatus or tackle for use with booinequipped tractonvehicles and similar vehicles for supportinghandling and, lowering comparatively long sections of pipe, in place in previously dug trenches in pipe of theinvention' will be hereinafter set'forth I and the novel features thereof definedtby the line construction work.

Another object is to provide a pipe line tackle which may be easily manipulated to engage, handle and lower oil and gas pipe lines into'final position-whereby greater efiiciency and economy inpipe'line construction work is accomplished.

A further object is to provide a pipe line tackle which is easily placed ,in position on. the pipe to be handled and which is provided with antifriction supporting means for the pipe whereby the tackle may be easily moved longitudinally of the pipe sect-ion while in pipe supporting position to thereby lower the pipe progressively-in the trench prepared for this purpose, together 'with means on the tacklefor positively engaging the pipe to prevent relative movement between the pipe and tackle when desired,

A further object is to provide a tackle which maybe readily positioned on a string welded pipe line-section whereby the pipe may be progressively lowered intoitsfinal position in a. prepared pipe line ftrench, the

tackle being providedwith positive locking means to prevent the tackle fromaccidentally' disengaging the pipe line.

A still further'object istoprovide a'pipe' line handling apparatus for progressively: lowering a string of welded pipe inv p osition in the previouslyrprepared trench, which ap- Y paratus consists of a tractor having a] supporting boom, a tackle member carried by the boom and having asliding or rolling supporting contact with the pipe line whereby as the tractor moves forward the tackle moves along the stringvof pipe to progressively, lower the same into position in a viousl'y pr a d plpe line trench.

tied form of tackle, parts being brokenaway and shown in section; c a v A Figure 5 is a bottom plan view ofthe form the same-secured'in position on the secti0nof pipe line; a

A still furtherobject is toprovide a tackle .7

ing the jaws in both their'open and closed position whereby thetackle may .be easily i applied to the'pipe and when so applied may be positively held in closedsupporting p'osition on the pipe.

Other and further Ob ects and advantages.

appended claims. a,

,In' the drawings: q a a Figure 1 has a perspective View showing my improved form of pipe lowering appara-, tus infoperation; s H Figure 2 is a cross sectional'view through the pipe in advance ofthe supporting tackle as seen in Figure 1; i -Figure 3 is' a side elevation'of the! tackle shown in Figure 2';

F igure 4 is a plan view of a slightly modi of invention shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is ,a vperspective view-of a further modified-form of pipe line tackle showing Figure 7 is'a' fragmentary vertical longi-' tudinal sectional view through the pivotal sections of the jaws of one ofthe pipe line tackles or grapple elements of Figure 6;

a Figure 8 is a detailed plan view oftone of the jaw members of the fOI'Hl'jOf the invention shown in Figure 6, and a Figure- 9 is 'a" somewhat diagrammatic 9o elevation ofth'e formshown in" Figure 6 and disclosing one type of pipe engaging means to prevent relative IIIOVQIIlQ-IltfbQtWBQILthB grapple andjpipe when it is desired to use the grapple for. actually moving or transporting the pipe. I

Like reference characters. designate corre sponding parts in the several figures of the drawings. I v V I In pipe-line construction work'which isc being carried on a very extensive way today The inext'operation is to lower the welded for this purpose.

it is usually customary to first prepare the pipe line trench for a considerable distance. The pipe sections are then placed on the ground near the trench and are lined up and their ends welded together thus forming a comparatively long string or section of welded pipe. Supporting timbers are placed or laid across the open trench at spaced intervals and the'welded string of pipe is placed on the supporting timbers over the trench.

final resting position in the trench whereupon the men must descend into the trench to removethe tackle from the pipe. The tractors are then movedup ahead to repeat this operation at successive points along the pipe line. H j r In the present method the grapple ortackle is positioned around the pipe and is hoisted so asto slightly lift the pipe from its supporting position with relation to one of the cross timbers. The cross timber is then removed andthe tractor is set into operation and as it moves forward the tackle, due to its antifriction supporting relation with respect to the pipe is caused to advance along the pipe permitting the same to be continuously and gradually lowered into its final position in the trench. j

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings A represents any'approved form of endless tread tractor provided with a tripod derrick or boom B from which the pipe handling tackle C is suspended in any suitable manner such as by the-pulley blocks and cable D.

This cable may be wound or unwound from the drum E as desired to raise or lower the tackle C. I The tractor as shown in this figure of the drawings is provided witha pivoted arm or extension F formed at its extremity with a shoe G adapted to ride on the upper" surface of the pipe line. H. Any suitable flexible or rigid'connection, such as. a cable or rod I is attached atone end to the apertured extremity of the pivot 1 for the jaws 2 and 2a of my improved pipe line tackle C. The handle portions 311 of the jaws 2 and 2a are apertured at their free extremities as indicated at 4. Link'members '5 are carried in the apertures 4 of the jaws and are arranged to besupported by the hook D5 of the -with respect to thepipe line.

supporting pulley blocks as clearly shown in j the drawings.

Each of the jaw members 2l2a has journalled therein a series of rollers 6 arranged to engage the exterior surface of the pipe line when the aws are placed in position therein, the lower rollers constituting supporting means for the pipe. The jaw member 2 is provided with a cam member shifting the cam into cooperating position Cable 10 is then led upwardly over a pulley 11 carried by the" boom B. The cable is then brought down to a winding drum 12 carried by the tractor.

As seen in Figure 1 of the drawings the tractor is moving in the direction of the arrow 13,and as the shoe'member G slides along the surface of the pipe it drags the tackle C' thereafter. Due to the roller mounting within the tackle C it is comparatively free'to move longitudinally along the surface of the pipe and while at the same time provides proper rolling support for the pipe at that particular point and of course as the tackle moves along, the'pipe is raised sufficiently to permit an attendant to remove the timbers 14- so that the pipe will be gradually and progressively lowered into final'p'osition in the previously prepared trench 15 due to the forward movement of the machine as clearly seen in the drawings.

When it is desired to interrupt or reduce the free longitudinal movement of the tackle with respect to the pipe line as for instance I pivoted at 8 and having a projectingactuating lever POI; tion .9 towhich .theucable 10 is connected for if it was necessary todrag. the pipe itself to reposition the same longitudinally of the trench the operator will cause the drum 12 t0 =wind up the cable 10 which will swing the cam member 6 into engagement with one side of the pipe thereby creatingsu fficient frictional engagement for the above mentioned purpose. p v a j In Figure 4 of the drawings it should be observed that the jaw members 16 and 17 are arranged to abut each other at the under side I of thepipeas indicated at 18. The purpose of this is to prevent the closing action of the links 17 on thehandle 3 and 3afro'm pro-V ducing a clamping action on the pipe. In

this form of the invention the rollers 6 are arranged similarly to that shown in Figure Qbut due to the abutment ofthe ends of the jaws 16 and 17 all of these rollers will not ordinarily be in contact with {the outer surface of the pipe and the pipewill be to a greater extent'free to move and adjust itself being primarily supported by the two lower roll ers of the j awsj The handle member 3ain this 'form is. provided with a pivoted latch 19 for engagement with a pin 20 carried by the other jaw 3. This latch when inoperative position prevents any tendency for the jaws to 'open i or 29. WVithfthe parts as seenin Figure 6 of c the drawings, thepins 31 are shown in 'position in-the apertures 28 thereby locking the .bodimentsj O incident-t the actuation of the ramming .7 a 'as shown in this figure of the drawings. -The camming, memben just referred to while slightly different in. shape functions similar ,tothe camming member in Figures land 2 and will not therefore be further,described;

InFigure 6 of the drawings a still further modification ot-the embodimentis; shown in A which, a pain of spaced supportingjroller, equipped jaws are provided; asindicated'ge nr erally at 21. These jawsiare-pivo'tally mount-H. ed at 22 on a longitudinally disposed rod 23 ip d ,1 6, supported z-from the hook D:

, in any suitable manner suchasbythelinks.

24. ,The

latch 25 if. desired to preventaccidentalidishookD may be providedwith a placement ofv the'ilinks. [The forward end of the rod 23 is apertured; at 26-to :receivethe drag cable or rod I attached tqthe arm jF of thetractor, Referring specifically to one pair of jaws 21 which is substantially-a duplicate of theother pair it should be'observed may,

that these jaws carry the pipe-engaging rollersi6 in a manner similar. to the; other em-it neiot thejawsspecifically indicated as at2la terminates in a segmental porti0n27 aperturedat 28=and 29 whilethe other jaw specifically indicated at. 2lblterminates in the, extension '30 carrying a slidable pin 31 arranged to be inserted in eitherone or the other offth'e apertures or openings 28 two jaws 21a and 21b ii -proper relativesups lineH j When it is desired to 'spread thejaws as "p P i n h re et th Pip for instance to position the tackle on a string.

of pipe intermediate theends thereof the pin 31 is withdrawn from the aperture28 thus freeing, the jaws and permitting them to be opened to v a position, where the .pin' will lineup with thefaperture 29 and upon engagementsof the pin with this aperture the jaws will be locked in their open or re -J ceiving position. Underthese' conditions the 1 tackle may be lowered so as to-be positioned on the pipewher eupon thepin is withdrawn, the jawspermitted to, close around the pipe and the pin repositioned in the aperturei28 Figure of the drawings shows .a: spring pressedpin 31 which will snap into position with either ofthe' apertures 28 or .29 as the jaws swing, to their operative or inoperative position as the case may be.

In order to provide some means for pre venting the free longitudinal, movement of this latter formj (if/tackle just vdescribed I provide a split substantially rectangular cross section as indicated at is designed to be slipped over the pipe and the ring sections bolted together, \The ring 1 is secured to'the tackleby flexible connections such as jchains 33' so that longitudinal vable to traivelalong the apparatus 32 w ich,

flmovement of the tackle with respect to the pipe will cause this ring member tobe tilted :to'the position shown whereupon itWiIllenJ- "f I gage. and bind'onthe pipe thus 'preventi'ngf e j o anyrfurther relativemovementiof the tackle 7071f 'Inember. I

1 111' the form disclosedin :Figure :6 ar as.

drawings 1t should lbe observed thatfsince the pipe line issupported' at spaced points there-is less danger :ofxthe tackle'bending or denting the pipe-as it rolls'itherealong. 5 4

Further than. this if the -.pipe'= line's'fhaving ,the'flange type of coupling-are used it shoul be observed that one of the sets of jaws 2l' 1i I of course, tional tybooms an Thepipe lin nhandling;ofthis m a be appliedft'o any conv fls e of cran structure's utilizingt having hoisting supporting lines or cables operated by suitable :drum mecha-- nismv-upon the crane fbody structure;

"Such cranes-may;qbewuof the dragline, clam shell,

or shovel types, because usually-thesetypes of machine have drum and cable apparatus this invention; i

lmeans on. said 5 boom, a grapple: device :carvriedb'y thetaokle means and comprising that-will be usableIwithcthe tacklemeans'of" Havingthus described my invention, what I I claim as newand desireto'secureby Let- .ters-Patent'iszt 1. 5

1,;In a pipe line handling'apparatusya I crane type machine comprising a baseportable to travelralong a trench in'fwhich a pipe is to be laid, a'boorn on said base-tackle 165,,

a pipe supporting member,- and ,antifriction 1 means carried by the member for supporting- .the pipe to bevhandled in spaced relation to v H saidmember, for allowing free longitudinal movement between the,v pipe and-supporting member, the means being axially disposed transversely of the pipe 2. Ina" pipeline handling apparatus, a I crane type machine comprising a'base'port vattrenchdn which a laid,-a' boom on said base,ftackle J meanson said boom, agrappledevice cars pipe is to be riedby the; tackle means-andco'i'nprising a i I pipe sup-porting elemental-means fortmoving: 2 I

along the pipe-line,and rollen bythe supporting element to means carried 'lis supportapipe lineforfree longitudinal move-1,

mentr'elatiyely to the supporting element, the" roller means having their axes arranged transversely vof the direction of movement of the pipe. j

3. In a pipe .line handlinggapparatus, a i pipe supporting element. antifriction': means carried by I said-tsupporting -element to "supsaid element.

r bje'rs,,the oppositekfreefends of they jaw-meme bers abuttingto prevent clamping of the pipe and roller means "pipeline embracing jaivs, theja'ws toengage spaced relatlon to the flaws to permit relat1venieans-onithe elementadjustable to prevent longitudinal movement between said pipe and 4.2111 a pipe,handlingutackle, a. portable support, pipe handling means-carried 'by the rollers carried by and support the, pipe in longitudinal movementbetween the pipe and the jaws whilethe hei i 5." In; a pipe line i handling apparatus, a

members terminating,inlcrossed handle memwhen in position-1 thereon, carried by the gawrmembers to,engage the pipe to be handled to permit'i'ree longitudinal- Withrespect to the pipe.

6. In a pipe line handling apparatus; a "to be handled byfthe pipe supporting eleni ent including a pair of pivoted pipe enc1rcl1ng1aw members; said members terminating incrossed hand-le members", the-opposite'free ends of the jawmenibers abutting to prevent clamping of the pipe when in: position thereon, roller means car- 'riedbythe jaw members to engage'the pipe to be-J'handled tozpermit freelongitudinal movement-of the pipe supporting element "with respect to thenpipe; and pipe engagin'g means. assoclatedwvith the pipe supporting element and movable'into engagement with the plpe. to prevent movement; i

type,ficomprising a portable base to travel along atrench in which a pipe is to be laid; a boom on said base,

member for the pipe arranged to embrace the pipe andfslide freely along the same as-the connected with the said supporting member to exert a draft thereon to effect movement of the supporting member as the machine PI'OgIiGSSQS lengthwise of the pipe.

1 described, a pair of abutting curved pivoted jaw" members for embracingan'd handling a predetermined size of pipe without clamping the-same, saidfijaw*members being pivoted opposite their abutting free extremities and "terminating crossed lifting handles, n ieans "for holding the pipefis being supported by and separate means carriedyby the v jaws movable to engagethegpipei, FVhQIIdQ-x sired ntorprevent relative longitudmalmove -ment.. Y

said free longitudinal -stituting a: pivot therefor; "for advancing the-jaw 'membe'rs a'long the.

tackle means suspended jaw members atfrom the boom and compris ng asup 'iorting class described, a

jaw members constit pipe handling device otthe classi "liers class described, a

for holding thejaws closed position one.

pipe to bee-handled and roller means on the 'jaivr-membersy for holding the pipe in spaced relation:with-respect to'the jaws;

9. Ina pipe handling"deviceof the class" 1 described; afpair ofabutt'ing' curved pivoted 'aw inen'ibers for rembracin and handlin a a y n z:

ing'the sanieQSaid jaw members beingpivoted opposite their" abutting'free extremities and terminating in crossed -lifting'handles means iaws in*cl'os'ed-pos ition on a pipe to be "handled; roller tion with respect to the jaws, and. latchineans for h'oldingthe-jaws in closed position. device ofth' class described, plurality of curved pipe support H I to embrace the pipe to behandle d by the device,-n'1eansforlocking the jaW-me mbers'in 10. Ina pipe-handling in g jaw members ni'ovable predeterminedspaced means on the j awi members for holding the pipel'n spaced relae rel ation, roller means arranged *on"the jaws 11; In a pipe handling device of the class relatiomf-roller means :for supporting the 1)ipe'fo r free longitudinal movemeii't'wit-h respect'tothej avvs, means for maintaining the aw'-'members a't'a predeterpipe during saidrelativemovement' and sup: plemental pipe en gaging means adjust ableto prevent said longitudinal movement when desired,

12; In a pipe line handling tackle the class described ,'a plurality'of spaced comple-. i p i i i mental pivoted pipe embracin jaw members, 7.1a a pipe laying machine of the crane- 'v l I v a common supportfor Silld'JfiW members condraw bar means pipe, rollermeans on the right angles to the'pipe and means "for maintaining the jaw members in parallel relation 'toeachother.

for supporting thepipe for 'free lo1 1 itudinal 7 "movement 'with respectto the jaws? and-means for maintaining the jaivniembers at aprede termined angle with respect to'tlie pipe durv ingsaid relativemovement. movement of the pipe su iportirrggelement I I p v described,ya-pluralityof curved pipe supportpipe devi'ce, means for lockpredeterminedspaced arranged on the v jaws mined angle vertically'with. respect to the:

13. Infa pipe line handling tackle. of the? roller -means on1 the j plurality ofspace'd C0mPle V angles to the pipe, a commonsupport for said afpivot" therefor,

draw-barfmeansfor advancing the jaw mempipe being handled.

along-the pipe, means for maintaining a fiQ i c h 7 angles i the ax pf. th

.14. In apipe line handling aujae time mental pivotedpipe embracing jaw members,

pluralityjof fspa'ced complering the aw a common support for said jaw members, draw bar means for advancing the jaw members along the pipe, roller means carried by the jaw member for permitting free longitudinal movement of the jaw members with re spect to the pipe, means for maintaining the jaw members in parallel relation with respect to each other and at right angles to the axis of the pipe being handled and means for lockmembers in openor closed position. i; a j 15. In a pipe line handling tackle of the class described, a plurality of spaced complemental pivoted pipe embracing aw members,

a common support for said jaw members, draw bar means for advancing the jaw members along the pipe, roller means carried by the jaw member for permitting free longitudinal movement of the jaw members with respect to the pipe, means for maintaining the jaw members in parallel relation with respect to each other and at right angles to the axis of the pipe being handled,'means for locking the jaw members in open or closed position,

and means associated with said tackle and movable to prevent free longitudinal movement of the tackle with respect to the pipe.

16. In combination, a portable crane, and pipe handling apparatus carried thereby including pipe means for enabling the sliding movement of the tackle along the plpe being handled in the operation of depositing said pipe in a trench, and pulling means connecting the crane with the portion of the tackle engaging the pipe so as to com el the advancement of the tackle along the plpe as the crane progresses in a direction len thwise of said pipe.

17. In com ination, a crane type machine comprising drum and cable apparatus, and pipe engaging apparatus carried by said cable apparatus and adapted to embrace and support and move longitudinally of a line of pipe, means for controlling the drum and cable apparatus of the crane so as to engage and disengage the same from the pipe line, the pipe line'engaging apparatus comprising members directly supportin the pipe and having means enabling sliding movement thereof along the pipe, together with draft means associated with the crane type machine connected with the pipe engaging apparatus for causing movement of the same "along the pipe by a pull from the crane machine as the latter is advanced longitudinally of the pipe while supporting the latter, to thereby lower the pipe in a trench above which it may be disposed.

18. In combination, a crane machine comprisin drum and cable apparatus, pipe line engaglng apparatus connected with the drum and cable apparatus aforesaid and comprising pipe engaging parts adapted to removably engage a line of pipe, said parts having means enabling them to slide longitudinally pipe engaging parts to cause movement of the atter longitudinally of the pipe as the crane machine is moved forward and also lengthwise of thepipe, said draft means including a member having sliding connection with the pipe as the crane machine is advanced, and which is directly connected with said pipe on aging parts.

11 testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

JOHN F. ROBB.

supporting tackle, comprising an operating draft con- 

